Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Two down on this fabulous challenge. This was an easy one. :) I've had this strapless top since around 2000! Isn't it lovely how old construction is still relevant and durable? The skirt is my own DIY(aka...took a mass of fabric, sewed up on one side, hemmed, added elastic and VOILA!).

Don't get me wrong...I love the fabric (stretch cotton) and technically I like the design (although it's not my usual style) but ONE NIGHT for a dress soup to nuts (AKA...nothing was cut or prepped beforehand) is CRAZY!! You can tell what part got done at 2:30a...

All kind of fit issues...this is why I've been pacing myself. <le sigh>. I basically used the bodice from my peplum top and free handed a skirt (rectangle of fabric gathered in to join with the bodice).

I figured out way too late what holding tightly to a stretch fabric while attaching binding can do to a neckline/armhole...wonk city...

The dress looks like it can stand up on its own. :(

BUT...

I do love the fabric. Thankfully I have a bit left...maybe a slim-line skirt to make happy. :)

As I previously said, most of the items on the Challenge list are things that I'd wear anyway so I've been challenging myself to reinvent the way I wear them...lots of fun but challenging at the same time.

Apparently yellow was my color du jour this week. :) Almost had to wear my shades indoors...this crap was bright!

First up:

I've recently discovered ASOS Curve line for us blessedly curved women (2000 years after it debuted lol)...I was a little apprehensive at first (le online ordering of clothes is not usually a good look for me).

This shirt was B-R-I-G-H-T! Whooo! Loved it though. Sheer yellow poly that came with a belt of the same fabric (hate those things...they're like dental floss for your love handles). The front is a combo of a cowl/wrap top. Very pretty in detail but for someone like me who only likes to wear a bra under her blouses you may or may not have a little peep show go on (no big deal...everyone needs a little spice in their life no?).

Made this skirt 2 years ago...(secret: it's actually a tube dress...my hate for strapless devices led me to convert it). In an ode to my lovely locs and Mr. Marley...I decided to take a "casual" look for a spin (I am NOT a t-shirt fan---for the 1000th time)---this is definitely not a combo I'd normally wear.

So we've discussed this...I'm not a t-shirt and jeans kind of girl. AT ALL! I'll do it if I have to (and laundry is backed up for weeks without a dress, skirt or blouse in sight). That's usually it. I thought I would conquer that look for the "wear something that you normally wouldn't wear" part of the BFS challenge but I decided to go another route...

The OVERSIZE shirt (sans belt). I normally dislike oversize anything without a belt as much as I dislike the t-shirt and jean combo but this shirt called to me (you know your clothes talk to you too). I loved it! More importantly, I didn't even want to belt it (MONUMENTAL for me).

Top: Asos; Leggings: old; Sneakers: Reebok; Bag: BCBG Girls

This is my kind of t-shirt! I poured myself into some liquid leggings, slapped on the uber bright Reeboks and was good to go! Casual Amazon. :)

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

No...it's definitely not my birthday but this floral fabric I have here definitely makes me feel like a Springtime Birthday party ad!

L-O-V-E-D this pattern. I mean it was an absofrigginlute DREAM to sew (even WITH the bias binding---dreaded addition that it is). Easy to read, easy to sew. For the first time EVER in the history of my Amazon sewing days, I sewed this bad boy straight out the box (so you KNOW 3 more are getting made). It's such a figure flatterer how can one go wrong???

I twiddled with the lighting on this one a bit...gotta love pic monkey. :)

Again...love this top (but boy do I hate putting in zippers...meh). :)

Monday, June 11, 2012

Blogworld...I must admit. I don't have many boundaries but today I stumbled upon a challenge while viewing the fabulous Ms. Natural Fashionista's page (www.naturalfashionista.com). She's participating in the BIG FAT SUMMER CHALLENGE (brought to us by Ms. Jasifer from Jasiferslionsclub.com). This challenge is challenging us (ha! great use of my English degree) to step outside of our clothing comfort zone.

75% of this challenge is my current wardrobe or in my sewing queue but I had to chuckle at the items that are going to give me the most trouble:

1. Wear a high waisted bottom- First of all, Tiffany M. of the land of Amazonia has a high waisted ass in the back and a kangaroo pouch in the front. My nose broke out in mini sweat freckles thinking about the various combos of cameltoes and wedgies that may occur if this look goes wrong...but I shall forge on and make it work.

2. Wear something you normally wouldn't wear--hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! Surprisingly, the first thing that came to my mind was:

I just can't do jeans and a tee. I try...Lord knows I try but it's SO HARD. T-shirts do nothing for me. NOTHING! But again, I shall forge on and make it work.

I'm very excited about the bikini! It was on my list of things to buy for my Barbados trip but with the sudden influx of plus size pretties grabbing them up, I'm scared to wait much longer before buying mine (Ms. Gabifresh of Gabrifresh.com leading the way)...we shall see.

Thursday, June 7, 2012

I love sew-alongs...I really REALLY do. I just never keep sewing along enough to finish them. :(

I promised myself I wouldn't do another until I could commit but blogworld....

I LIED!

Sunni from A Fashionable Stitch is having a fabulous sew-along for Simplicity 1880. Now normally I'm not a big Simplicity fan (La Amazonia is cheapo with her pattern purchases) but hey! who am I to disagree when a professional recommends a good WRAP DRESS pattern.

That's right! A wrap dress. One of the singularly most perfect garments for this Amazon bod.

Simplicity 1880

Now this pattern only goes up to a size 20 which means I'm gonna be gradin' all over the place...time to buy that bolt of muslin. <le sigh>

So I'll be rummaging through my ever growing fabric stash to work this bad boy up. I'm sure there will be some cussin' and growling involved but please excuse it as a part of creative genius.

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Vacation was great. Hot as Hades frying eggs in the Miami sunshine I tell ya'! So hot, food became a non-necessity...

Good news: I lost 10 lbs (in a week...WTH(eck)??!?!
Bad news: I think I've discovered that dehydration can be delayed

Anyhoo....

Working on project 1 from my recently arrived pattern bonanza (YEA!!) but unfortunately that means no pics to show yet (BOO!!). So to whet your Amazonian appetite, please allow your eyes to rest on this nautical delight!

Scored this beauty at Macy's RIGHT before I left for vacay... It badonks my donk (translation: my rear end simply looks divine in this dress).